Tesla Redesign
Tools:
Figma | Illustrator
Roles:
UX Researcher | UI Designer | Creative Director
— Empathize —
Competitive Analysis
In the case study, a thorough evaluation of user experiences for the Tesla Model 3 and the Mercedes GLE 350 was conducted through hands-on test drives, enabling firsthand exploration of each car's features and functionalities. The research extended to recreating detailed flowcharts for the user interfaces of both vehicles, providing a visual representation of the navigation and interaction pathways within each system. This comprehensive approach allowed for a meticulous analysis of the pros and cons associated with the user interfaces and amenities of the Tesla Model 3 and Mercedes GLE 350. The combination of practical test drives and visual flow charts facilitated a nuanced understanding of the user experience, enabling valuable insights for the subsequent redesign of the Tesla UI.
User Interviews
The questionnaire created for the Tesla redesign reveals key insights into user preferences and behaviors. Users predominantly connect their phones for music, emphasizing the need for seamless smartphone integration. High reliance on USB/Bluetooth/Aux underlines the importance of a user-friendly connectivity interface. A majority preferring iPhones suggests the necessity for iOS compatibility. The experience with self-driving technology indicates user familiarity with advanced features, with varied preferences for in-car activities during traffic. Bluetooth usage for calls is prevalent, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly call management. Annoyance at music interruption highlights the need for features facilitating direct calls without disruptions. Preferences for individualized music experiences and the interest in working from the car support personalized and productive features. A strong preference for digital displays underscores the importance of a tech-forward interface. Interest in backseat cameras and the significance placed on having the latest tech justify continuous integration of cutting-edge features in the redesigned Tesla UI.
In summary, the questionnaire results provide valuable insights into user preferences and behaviors, supporting the need for features like seamless smartphone integration, direct calls without music disruption, versatile in-car activities during self-driving, and a focus on the latest tech in the redesigned Tesla UI. Overall, these insights guide the creation of a user-centric and technologically advanced user interface.
Empathy Map
Through the user interviews, this empathy map captures the varying perspectives, needs, and desires of distinct user demographics. It delineates the discovery phase, illuminating how users think, feel, see, and want from autonomous luxury cars, considering their perspectives on technology, safety, and comfort. The shared empathy map synthesizes these individual experiences, offering a collective view of user expectations during the discovery process. By incorporating pains and gains, the map not only highlights potential challenges but also opportunities for improvement. Overall, the empathy map serves as a valuable tool for informing the user-centric redesign of Tesla's UI, ensuring that the updated interface resonates with diverse user sentiments and enhances the overall driving and rest experiences.
— Define —
User Personas
Three distinct personas were thoughtfully selected to provide a comprehensive understanding of user perspectives for this redesign. Tranquil Taylor, a tech enthusiast and road trip lover, offered insights into the preferences for the latest technology and relaxation features during breaks. Melodic Morgan, a music producer, represented a user deeply invested in audio quality and Bluetooth connectivity, providing valuable perspectives on music-related features and integration. Dynamic Dakota, chosen for her adventurous spirit, showcased someone who embraces multifunctionality and values social connectivity during road trips. Together, these personas were strategically crafted to cover a spectrum of user behaviors, preferences, and concerns, ensuring a well-rounded and insightful foundation for the holistic redesign of Tesla's UI.
User Journey
The user journey maps detail the step-by-step experiences of Taylor and Morgan within the redesigned Tesla UI. Taylor's journey revolves around the activation, customization, and deactivation of sleep mode, prioritizing comfort and security during rest breaks. Morgan's journey emphasizes convenience and personalization in music and call management.
User Story / Use Case Scenario
Dakota, a tech-savvy student; Taylor, a software engineer; and Morgan, a younger individual with a penchant for versatile features. Each persona contributes unique preferences and expectations, forming the basis for a comprehensive and inclusive redesign that caters to a diverse user base. The redesign addresses three key use case scenarios within the Tesla UI. For Dakota, the focus is on seamless music and call management during driving. Taylor's use case involves the integration of sleep mode, providing a comfortable and secure environment for rest during stops. Morgan, representing the younger demographic, explores both modes, embracing the versatile features offered by the redesigned UI.
The redesign addresses two key use case scenarios within the Tesla UI. For Morgan, the focus is on seamless music and call management during driving. Taylor's use case involves the integration of sleep mode, providing a comfortable and secure environment for rest during stops. Morgan, representing the younger demographic, explores both modes, embracing the versatile features offered by the redesigned UI.
— Ideate —
Wire Frames
I employed Figma to efficiently translate conceptual ideas into tangible low-fidelity representations. The core focus of this redesign effort was to prioritize accessibility and foster a sense of familiarity for users. Employing three distinct design styles, each tailored to specific user preferences, I meticulously delineated the essential key elements crucial for facilitating seamless and efficient user interactions. These wireframes aimed not only to visually convey the envisioned changes in the user interface but also to embody the principles of user-centric design, ensuring that the final product aligns with user expectations and preferences. The iterative process involved refinement, incorporating feedback from usability testing to refine the wireframes further and enhance the overall user experience.
— Prototype —
Final UI Design
The final UI design embodies a holistic approach, with a primary focus on enhancing accessibility and user experience. Key design elements include enlarged buttons for ease of use and strategic placement of the main navigation, ensuring effortless interaction and minimizing user effort. The choice of Roboto variations for typography enhances readability and maintains a sense of familiarity for users.
In terms of aesthetics, the carefully selected color palette, featuring light blue, dark blue, white, and grey, not only contributes to a visually pleasing interface but also ensures a calming and cohesive visual experience. The harmonious blend of colors aligns with the overall design goal of creating an interface that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
The incorporation of innovative features such as Sleep Mode and Direct Call adds significant value to the user experience. Sleep Mode caters to user comfort during breaks, providing a secure and relaxing environment, while the Direct Call feature allows for seamless communication without interrupting ongoing activities like music playback.
Overall, the final UI design strikes a balance between accessibility, aesthetics, and functionality. It aims to deliver an intuitive and visually appealing interface that caters to diverse user needs, promoting a positive and engaging experience for Tesla users.
Conclusion
Overall, the goal was to create a design that supported innovation while also balancing with familiarity. The design’s neumorphic style became the perfect solution for that balance between something new with something familiar in terms of user interaction with the look of buttons within the interface, while also supporting a soft luxurious style. Through good research and understanding of user needs, I was able to come up with a design that visually communicated luxury, while also providing simplicity for the user experience. In addition, as we continue to advance in the automobile industry, this design also provides room to grow by allowing room to add more features and customizability within categories.
